Two top nights of live music in Comrie
Live music from the trad scene is set to raise the rafters in Comrie next month, with performances in the cosy setting of the village’s Rural Hall as well as on the larger stage of the White Church.
Music promoter Chris Grace, of Chris’s Gigs, has lined-up two dates for the diary.
On March 5, Hamish Napier will be welcomed to Comrie Rural Hall, along with Patsy Reid and Innes Watson, performing Hamish’s award- winning new album ‘The Woods’.
And, on March 26, Old Blind Dogs will be making a return to the White Church with their new album ‘ Knucklehead Circus’.
Chris said: “We had two absolute stormers of gigs in November and December last year, and it all seemed to be going well and then Omicron hit and it all closed up again, which was very depressing.
“But the good news is things are looking up and we can have live music in the
village again, which is a very exciting prospect.”
Napier is a Scottish folk multiinstrumentalist and composer inspired by the heritage and nature of his native landscape of Strathspey.
His new album, which was Album of the Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards, is inspired by the flora and fauna of Scotland’s native forests.
Napier, who plays wooden flutes and piano, will be joined by Reid on fiddle and Watson on guitar and viola.
Napier’s music incorporates sounds from jazz, electronica and classical music, while also celebrating and respecting
Scotland’s rich musical heritage.
Meanwhile, original Old Blind Dogs member Jonny Hardie, on fiddle and vocals, is joined by Aaron Jones on cittern, guitar and vocals; Ali Hutton on pipes and whistles and Donald Hay on percussion and vocals.
As recent inductees to the BBC ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards Trad Music Hall of Fame, the ‘Dugs’ celebrated 30 years on the road in 2022 by launching their 14th studio album.
Tickets for the Shaky Village gigs are available online from Eventbrite, and on the doors if they are still available.
Chris added: “We have held ticket
prices for a number of years but we need to make sure the musicians are properly paid and all costs are covered, so there is a small increase.
“I’m sorry that this is necessary but I hope people will agree that having quality music and entertainment on the doorstep makes it worth it.
“We ask that all attendees take a lateral flow test on the day of the gig.
“These are easy to do, are free and available from the chemist.
“We also ask that masks are worn on entry to the hall and if moving around.”
Ticket information on either gig is available via the Eventbrite website.
Things are looking up and we can have live music in the village again, which is a very exciting prospect Chris Grace